EDINBURGH – Leading cyber-security company F5 Networks (F5) and IT network services provider Hutchinson Networks (HN) have today announced a partnership with Edinburgh Napier University, to share technology and insights that will augment the institution’s cyber-security courses. In providing technology and training licences, F5 and HN will help the university build on the progress it is making towards tackling the growing skills gap in Scotland and across the UK.

With the shortage of qualified IT security personnel predicted to reach 1.5 million globally by 2020, collaboration between educational institutions and technology companies grows ever-more important. Through the partnership, students at Edinburgh Napier will benefit from the integration of devices provided by F5 and HN throughout their degree courses, exposing future employees to real-life IT environments and threats and enabling a better understanding of IT security technology.

Students will also benefit from training licences, allowing them to develop the appropriate skills before entering the industry as a graduate. Enhanced by F5 and HN technology, modules on topics such as cryptography, network forensics and malware analysis are given added relevance, empowering students to feel fully prepared for a professional cyber-security career.

Led by institutions such as Edinburgh Napier, one of the few GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) accredited universities in Scotland, partnerships such as these highlight Edinburgh's growing status in Europe as a beacon in tackling the skills shortage. Edinburgh Napier has already produced a significant number of graduates now employed within the Scottish IT industry, with HN employing 17 graduates themselves over the last 4 years.

“Studying at Edinburgh Napier was a fantastic experience that gave me the hands-on IT skills I’d need to start my career,” said Mihai Burghelea, a graduate of the university. “As a graduate employee in today’s Scottish cyber-security industry, I can appreciate how relevant the skills taught and technology used throughout my course are to my everyday work. I would encourage Scottish students interested in a career in IT security to seriously consider the cyber-security courses at Edinburgh Napier.”

“There is a drastic cyber-security skills shortage in the Scottish IT industry and around Europe,” comments Bill Buchanan, Head of the Cyber Academy based within Edinburgh Napier University. “For education to make graduates industry-ready, it has to be delivered in modern, dynamic ways that mirror the corporate environment. The support of F5 and HN has been integral to providing our students with world-class training infrastructure. The partnership sets the bar for how cyber-security businesses can work with academic institutions to tackle the skills gap together, for the benefit of the industry, and ultimately, society as a whole. At present we are building one of the most advanced Cyber Security training infrastructures in the World, and contributes to this as it allows professionals to train on real-life scenarios with real-life devices.”

About Hutchinson Networks

Hutchinson Networks specialise in creating customer–focused IT solutions that are not only robust and reliable, they empower organisations to achieve their business goals, improve their operational efficiency and strengthen their position in the market.

Hutchinson Networks’ 24-hours Network Operations Centre allows organisations to ensure its essential communications are running smoothly - saving money, avoiding down-time, and leaving them free to concentrate on their core business and achieving their business goals.

Edinburgh Napier has around 18,000 students from more than 115 countries. It is among the best universities in the UK for graduate employability.

About F5

F5 (NASDAQ: FFIV) makes apps go faster, smarter, and safer for the world’s largest businesses, service providers, governments, and consumer brands. F5 delivers cloud and security solutions that enable organizations to embrace the application infrastructure they choose without sacrificing speed and control. For more information, go to f5.com. You can also follow @f5networks on Twitter or visit us on LinkedIn and Facebook for more information about F5, its partners, and technologies.

F5 is a trademark or service mark of F5 Networks, Inc., in the U.S. and other countries. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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